Guy Few’s instrumental versatility and fearless interpretations have been noted by the international press “outrageous…simply phenomenal” (Le Devoir, Montreal) and “sheer brilliance” (L.A. Times). As soloist with orchestra, recitalist or chamber musician he wows audiences with his technical ease and charm. Awards include a JUNO nomination, CAPACOA touring artist of the year, Penderecki Credo) and Sylva Gelber Foundation Award through the Canada Council for the Arts. Guy has appeared on CBC-TV, CTV, BRAVO, TV5 and European television broadcasts and is heard regularly on CBC Radio, and NPR. He is a Yamaha artist.
“Virtuoso”, “flawless”, “wild and joyous” are only a few of the reviews for Guy’s incredible trumpet playing. He performs regularly with Leslie Fagan, Stephanie Mara, Mark Fewer and others while maintaining collaborations with orchestras, festivals and series in Canada and the USA. Whether in traditional Baroque repertoire or Contemporary premieres, Guy infuses each performance with a commitment to technical and artistic perfection. “He coaxed out each note with brilliant clarity and restraint, dropping them like perfect pearls along a string.” (The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa USA).
Guy is fascinated by the challenges of four-hand repertoire and the collaborative piano tradition. He has performed with the Penderecki, Amati, and Amici string quartets and world class singers including Leslie Fagan, Colin Ainsworth and . Recordings include artistic endeavours with Stephanie Mara, Alain Trudel, Bellows and Brass, Festival of the Sound, and Boyd McDonald. Guy holds a Fellowship Diploma from Trinity College, London England and a member of the Leschetizky Association. “Few displayed lightness and humaneness that reminded the listener of another Canadian, Glenn Gould.” (The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, USA)
Guy first learned to play corno da caccia for conductor, Helmuth Rilling.. Since that time he has expanded his range, playing all Bach corno cantatas, concertos by Neruda, Handel and Lachner and world premieres by Lussier and Buhr. It is as a soloist that this instrument resonates with Guy and the press agrees. “If anyone can make the corno da caccia sound easy to conquer, not to mention downright sexy, it’s Few.” (The Register Guard, Eugene, Oregon, USA).
In addition to his active career as a soloist, Guy remains a committed and prolific chamber artist in a range of ensembles including Few Mara Duo, Bellows and Brass, Few and Fewer and Project Aria. Guy has been a featured guest at acclaimed summer festivals including Festival of the Sound, Tanglewood, Takefu International Music Festival, Oregon Bach Festival, Sweetwater, Elora Festival and Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival.
Guy has been a keynote speaker for brain injury associations in Canada and the USA. The presentations concern his two brain surgeries for Cavernous Hemangioma, the resulting memory loss and complications. Guy has been invited to speak on this topic for CBC TV and Radio (Peter Gzowski, Shelagh Rogers, This is my Music), Global TV affiliates, CTV, NPR, as well as symposia such as Bach and the Brain, Surgery Grand Rounds and OMEA. His speech, “Mokuso”, features meditations for pain and stage fright. He is also featured regularly in the international press.
Photography Credit: Guy Few with Trumpet. Copyright © 2024 Tim Leyes
Photography Credits: Guy Few and Bonnie Nicholson; Guy Few and Julie Nesrellah Copyright © 2024 Matthew Arias; and Bellows and Brass Copyright © 2024 Lawrence K. Ho
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